Playoff Recap: Sept. 14

Durham inched to within a win of the Bricktown Showdown with a come-from-behind, one-run victory.

Richmond cruised through six innings, on the strength of Francisley Bueno left arm. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound southpaw held the Bulls hitless through six, striking out six, but came out at that point when he neared his 100-pitch limit. He had thrown 99.

The move proved serendipitous for the Bulls, who trailed 2-0 at that point, as they rallied for three runs off reliever Buddy Hernandez in the seventh. Catcher Michel Hernandez drove home two runs, including the go-ahead tally, with a single.

DOUBLE-A SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Montgomery 2, Hunstville 1
(Series tied 1-1)

Biscuits catcher John Jaso broke a 1-1 tie with his second home run of the postseason in the sixth inning and lefty Jacob McGee pitched six strong innings to lead Montgomery past Hunstville, 2-1.

McGee allowed a run on six hits and struck out six, and Montgomery has SL wins and ERA leader Chris Mason on the mound for Game 3.

Lake Elsinore catcher Jose Lobaton drove in left fielder Mike Baxter from third base with a long fly ball to right field in the 10th inning to complete the Storm’s comeback from a six-run deficit and take the series-opener from visiting San Jose.

Lake Elsinore first baseman Kyle Blanks (2-for-4) started the comeback with a bases-loaded single in the fifth inning that cut the lead to 6-3. Baxter (3-for-4, three doubles) evened the score in the seventh with a bases-loaded, three-run double.

LOW CLASS A MIDWEST LEAGUE

Beloit 8, West Michigan 5
(West Michigan leads series 2-1)

Beloit was able to put elimination off for one more night at least as the Snappers scored all eight runs in the first three innings.

Centerfielder Joe Benson and second baseman Steven Singleton, went a combined 4-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBIs to lead Beloit.
Beloit scored three in the first on a singles from Singleton and outfielder Danny Santiesteban, and a ground out from catcher Gregory Yersisch.

The Snappers added four more in the second. Singleton added another base hit while third baseman Deibinson Romero joined the parade with an RBI single. Parmelee added a sacrifice fly and designated hitter Rene Tosoni had an RBI double.

LOW CLASS A SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Columbus 6, West Virginia 0
(Columbus wins series 3-0)

Thursday was a night for threes. The Catfish used three home runs in three straight innings to capture the South Atlantic League title in a three game sweep.

First baseman Matthew Fields opened the offense with a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth. With one out and two on in the bottom of the sixth, outfielder Ryan Royster chipped in with a home run of his own to make the score 4-0. Finally, in the bottom of the seventh third baseman Cesar Suarez launched a two-run homer.

Righthander Jeremy Hellickson started and pitched three hitless innings for the Catfish, but righthander Wilton Noel earned the victory by pitching the next three innings. He surrendered just two hits while striking out one.
It was the first title in franchise history for Columbus.

SHORT-SEASON NEW YORK-PENN LEAGUE

Auburn 7, Brooklyn 1
(Auburn leads series 1-0)

Auburn leadoff hitter Ben Zeskind went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs to help lead his team to a 7-1 victory over Brooklyn.

Brooklyn scored in the second inning and carried a one-run lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, when Auburn scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead. The Doubledays tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the eighth.